Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Enjoy it while it lasts because HBO's CEO had enough of AT&T's crap and said see ya. The Wall Street Journal reported:

Richard Plepler, the chairman and chief executive of HBO, said he
was resigning in a memo to staff Thursday afternoon. David Levy,
president of Turner, the parent of cable channels CNN, TNT, TBS and
Cartoon Network, is also stepping down—perhaps as early as Friday,
people familiar with the matter said.

“Hard as it is to think about leaving the
company I love, and the people I love in it, it is the right time for
me to do so,” Mr. Plepler wrote in his memo.

The resignation of Mr. Plepler, who has led HBO since 2013 and
played a prominent role in many successful shows including “Game of
Thrones” and “Veep,” comes as AT&T overhauls the operations of
Warner Bros., HBO and Turner. Under previous owner Time Warner and its
then-chief executive Jeff Bewkes, these units had operated very
autonomously. Rest of article.

CNBC fleshed out the story:

According to people familiar with the matter, this is an issue of
autonomy. Plepler wanted to run HBO, and new WarnerMedia CEO John
Stankey, an AT&T veteran, was effectively running HBO. Plepler had
ideas about technology and international expansion that didn’t jibe with
Stankey’s vision, according to a person familiar with the matter. The
two are also “different people” and didn’t have the closest
relationship, another person said. So after six years of running HBO
autonomously, Plepler told Stankey earlier this month he wanted to
leave, two of the people said. Article.

Bullet, meet golden goose. A GQ story gives an idea of what AT&T considers to be quality programming:

AT&T, the "How do you do, fellow kids?" of mobile networks, really
wants people to watch TV on their AT&T phones and tablets. Media
streaming is a huge deal for mobile carriers right now, with the "big"
companies offering unlimited streaming on certain platforms, which is how net neutrality dies, but whatever.
Of course, since no one likes watching rich, multilayered, 55-minute
episodes of fantasy prestige TV on their phones, the network figures it
has a solution.

Speaking at a conference, AT&T head Randall Stephenson was concerned with the episode length of HBO's epic Game of Thrones, saying: "Think about things like Game of Thrones.
In a mobile environment, a 60-minute episode might not be the best
experience. Maybe you want a 20-minute episode." Hmm. Perhaps watching a
feature-length episode of effects-heavy ensemble television on a 4-inch
screen might have something to do with that "not being the best
experience," also.

Look, we get it. Attention spans are short and people need something to do on their commutes now that no one gives a shit about iPhone games. Fact is, though, while mobile streaming is
on the rise, there's only so much you can do to entice people to
consume movies and TV on the smallest possible devices. Call me
old-fashioned, but Smart TVs, with their endless customization options,
apps, and easy access to any one of your favorite streaming services
using your parents' cable login, is an experience no phone will ever be
able to match.

Ah yes, Game of Thrones. Because real history of Europeans battling Moorish Islamic invaders is too racist for the 21st century. So the invading hordes bent on destroying the "West" are now portrayed as ice zombies so as not to offend the refugees being welcomed into Europe.

They even include a white goddess worshipped by oppressed people of color. This fulfills every female SJW fantasy of being a savior mother to the oppressed innocents of the world.

Such a winning formula. No wonder it is popular with the cool wine aunts and effete soy boys.

I live in a rural area and don't have access to broadband, so streaming a show is a non-starter for me. I do have Dish Network, but after HBO acquired DirecTV (Dish's competitor), it pulled HBO from Dish...and the issue won't be resolved before the final season of Game of Thrones begins. I'm a fan of the show and all I can do is try and avoid spoilers until the final season is available on DVD. I'm not switching to DirecTV and giving AT&T more money.

11:44 Your slap at the Bible betrays your ignorance. In ancient literature the Bible is unique in showing the warts and foibles of its protagonists. No so, elsewhere. This is a proof of the validity of the Bible. The point is no about glorifying the protagonist, rather to glorify ultimate reality.

Who is the Hottest Reporter in Jackson?

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!